Public Safety Awards Given In City Communication Bureau Shows Appreciation

September 18, 1985|by TED MELLIN, The Morning Call

The Allentown Communication Bureau paid tribute last night to seven organizations and individuals for their assistance in promoting public safety and quick response to emergencies.

The occasion was an "appreciation and awareness" meeting in City Hall attended by more than 30 people - council members, representatives of neighborhood groups and honorees.

In addition to presenting certificates of appreciation, Communications Superintendent William Epler showed a videotape called, "Enhanced 911," which depicted the value of automatic number and location identifiers to the emergency system.

The awards were given to South Mountain Active Citizens (SMAC), Mountainville 30, Turning Point, Carl Bishoff of the American Red Cross, Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP), and radio stations WKAP and WAEB.

Epler said the communications center was not taking credit for the establishment of the city's Crime Watch groups, saying the credit goes to Capt. Robert Ring of the police crime prevention unit. He said he felt it was time "somebody from city government should take time tosay thank you."

He said his bureau was recognizing that "we cannot do our job alone. We need your help and we appreciate your assistance."

He announced that a new effort will begin soon to promote the 911 emergency telephone number by having signs placed in windows of homes and businesses.

Despite its use for 12 years in Allentown, "Every once in a while we find people who are not aware of 911 in the city."

The added tools in "Enhanced 911" would enable communications dispatchers to learn or verify the location of emergency calls.

Epler said he foresees their addition to the city's 911 system in years to come, but not this or next year.

He voiced his support of House Bill 1246, sponsored by state Rep. Paul McHale of Fountain Hill, which would establish a statewide 911 system.

And he described capital projects he has proposed to improve the computer capability in the communications center and police cars. He noted that mobile digital terminals are in a six-year capital improvements budget that will permit police officers to trace license plates and persons on the "wanted file" from their cruisers.